KUALA LUMPUR: Leaders of government-linked companies will be held fully accountable if they "betray" the bumiputra agenda, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister issued the warning after acknowledging that incompetence and poor governance had resulted in the government forking out billions to ensure bumiputra holdings were not lost.

"We cannot allow this to continue. The managing professionals must take full responsibility," he said, adding that stern action would be taken.

"This also betrays the hopes of the bumiputra and the trust placed on them," he said when launching an additional RM1bil for the Amanah Hartanah Bumiputera Scheme (AHB) on Tuesday (Oct 17).

He slammed them as "traitors" for causing billions in losses suffered by the government, which could have been put to better use for the rakyat.

He cited Felda as an example, which needed a government injection of RM8.3bil due to poor management and weak governance.

"The latest involves a company that needs a RM2.7bil injection from the government to save it from slipping away," he said without specifying the company in question.

Anwar also said that government-linked bumiputra companies must stop any favouritism-based practices.

"There must be a shift in how things are done where opportunities are given only to a selected few to enrich themselves, without any agenda to provide opportunities to other bumiputra companies," he said.

However, the Prime Minister noted that some government-linked companies, such as Pelaburan Hartanah Berhad (PHB), had performed well.

"Not only has PHB maintained its profits but can also be proud of its management. They have helped to guide and educate bumiputra to invest for their future," he said.

Meanwhile, Anwar announced that individual bumiputra investors can now buy up to a maximum RM1mil in the AHB.